Decoding and information indicating device



April l, 1958 T.` H. TATHAM, JR 2,829,302

DEconING AND INFORMATION INDICATING DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1957 nate directions.

2,829,302 INFoRMA'rIoN nsnIcATrNG DECODINGAND u -nnvrcn i `Thomas H. Tatham, Jr., `San Diego, Calif., assignor to General Dynamics Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware u Application February 1s, 19s7,`seria1 No. 640,919 claims. (ci. S15-8.5)

i invention relates generally to a device for decod-` ing and indicating predetermined coded information' in `an intelligible visual display. More particularly, the device includes a cathode ray tube capable of shaping the f cross-section of its electron beam in response to the coded information.

In modern-day high-speed electronic computers of vari ons types there is a constant need for the display of randomvalue coded information in an intelligible form "for visual viewing.

` Many mechanicalV or electro-mechanical devices` areutilized presently to give numeric,

symbolicJ or other intelligible information indication of `the desired sampling ordisplay of predetermined coded information. j in their inherent inertia. plishes` both the decoding of the predetermined informa- The difculty with `these devices resides The instant invention accomtion and a translation of thatinformation into intelligible formor characters substantiallylwithout time lag or inertia throughautilization of electronically responsive compon- "The invention includes generally, an envelope in the shape of a normal cathode ray tube which has positioned therein and at one end `thereof a well known electron` beam` generating means such as a thermionic cathode. A phosphorescent screenfcapable of responding to the `electron emission may be positioned at the other least twoelectron beam deection systems. Each system includes at least, two pair of delection` means, each of whichfpairt of deflection means is capable `of deecting the` beam'in substantially one ofthey rectangular coordi- Eachpair of the -deection means is so arranged that betweeneach of the pair of deflection means there may be established at least two deection potential `conditions. `Various circuitryis included` in the invention to Aeffect the establishmentof the deflection potential con-` ditions. `It can then be seen that by properly selecting potential conditions `for `each of the pair of deflection means or varying other conditions, `as Will be hereinafter explained, arather simple and trouble-free decoding and information indicating device isachieved.

This invention utilizesandimproves the apparatusdis- `closed in a copending application of Joseph T. McNaney, Serial No.` 297,480,` assigned to the common assignee.

tively simple and trouble-free device for decodingand `infoi-,mation indicating of a. predetermined code; Y

rates PatentN Patented Apr. l, 1958 It isanother object of this invention to provide a device for decoding and indicating intelligible information in response to a predetermined code which device is flexible and can be adapted to any desired predetermined code.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparent when read in connection with the accompanying specification and drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing a decoding lCC and information indicating device including a cathode rayv tube and its schematic operative connections embodying the present invention; v

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a clamping circuit capable of being utilized in the schematic of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of a beam shaping member. v

Referring to Figure l, there is presented an evacuated envelope 10 preferably shaped in the form of a cathode ray tube. Positioned within and at one end of the envelope or tube 10 is an electron beam generating means 11 including a well known electron generating cathode 12 and a plurality of known accelerating electrodes 13.

40 end of the tube. Intermediate the screen and the cathode is `positioned a beam shapingwmember which hasformed l therethrough, stencil-like openings` corresponding toinformation symbols predetermined by the code to vbe pre- `sented'for translation and display by the tube. Intermediate the matrixand the cathode are positioned at` The accelerating electrodes 13 being capable of forming an electron beam and projecting that beam generally along the axis 14 of tube 10; Positioned Within and on or adjacent the opposing end of the tube 10 is an electron responsive target or screen 16. While any known electron-responsive target may be utilized, the target 16 in the instant invention is preferably capable of translating the impingement of the electron beam thereupon into a lightimage for direct visual viewing. Intermediate the screen 16 and the electron beam generating means 11 is disposed a beam shaping member or matrix 18, shown in detail in Figure 3. The matrix 18 selectively shapes the electron beam into one-or more desired cross-sections 19. Any desired cross section 19 may be formed through instant embodiment utilizing sixteen predetermined crosssections in the matrix, is exemplary only and does not so limit the invention. Each information symbol 19 in the matrix 18, however, will require one predetermined set of potential conditions.

Positioned within the envelope 10 and intermediate the matrix 18 and the electron beam generating means 11 are a plurality of deection systems 2t), 21. The plurality `of deflection systems may be one or more, but is herein exemplied as two such systems 20, 21. Each system is capable of deflecting the electron beam in substantially rectangular coordinates. Each of these systems may be either of an electromagnetic or electrostatic construction, but is herein exemplilied as comprising two pair of deection means in quadrature to each other and shown as electrostatic horizontal and vertical deection plates 22, 23, 24 and 25. The first deflection system 20' includes deection means 22 and 23, namely, horizontal plates 22 and vertical plates 23V andthe second deflection system 21 includes deflection means 24, 25, namely, horizontal plates 24 and vertical plates 25. The deflection systems 2li, 21 together, are capable of deflecting the beam along a plurality of positions corresponding to the openings 19 in the matrix 18 in a rectangular coordinate sited4 `to permit varying selection possibilities,`increasing or decreasing the number of information symbols which may be presented or illuminated.

The deflection systems 20, 21 may be so arranged that two possible values of deflection potential conditions, such as exemplified, which are predetermined, may have varying effect when applied between differing pairs of deflection plates 22, Z3 and 24, 25 wherein the deflection plates themselves may be positioned closer to or further from the beam, or may be so constructed as to present different intensities of deflection to the beam such that the deflection intensity may be doubled or halved, for example, as desired. In all of the aforestated ways, it is possible to enlarge the combinations or varying conditions which may be achieved by utilizing the teachings of the instant invention.

As exemplified in Figure l, an input or predetermined intelligence code 28 is presented to a source of control signals 29. The source of control signals 29, may, if the input be binary code be a digital to analogue conversion unit such as is taught in the copending applicaf tion of loseph T. McNaney, Serial No. 340,245, filed March 4, 1953, assigned to the common assignee hereof. Should the code 28 be analogue, it could be directly applied by the source 29 of control signals without conversion. The invention, therefore, has considerable breadth in that it may be altered by one skilled in thc art to accept various codes. The codes 28, of course, predetermine the information symbols 19 to be presented from the beam shaping member 18.

The output analogue voltages 30 may then be presented to a circuit 32 which holds the amplitude extremes of the output voltage waveform to given reference levels. A simple known circuit 32 to accomplish this is shown in Figure 2. The circuit, being exemplary, such as a clamp or clamping circuit, utilizes diode type clamping of the output voltage. Assuming, for example, that the voltage signals 30 from the source of control signals 29 varies from -20 volts to +5 volts, and diode 34 has its cathode connected to ground and its plate to a point P, and, diode 35 hasl its cathode connected to point P and its plate to 15 volt potential. The source of control signals 29 and the cathode of diode 34 are connected to common ground. It can be seen that any voltage 30 from the source of control signals 29 in excess of 0 volt or less than -15 volts will appear across resistor 36, the output at point P will be 0 volt and -15 volts, two potential conditions. For purposes of explanation, let it be assumed that one of these potential conditions be designated as On and the other as Off Referring to the exemplary sixteen character matrix 18, shown in Figure 3, be it assumed for explanatory purposes, that when plates 22, 23, 24 and 25 are all Off the opening or symbol O 3'7 will be illuminated and the beam shaped into a corresponding configuration presenting O for visual display on screen 16. Then, if plate 22 alone is On and the others Off the beam will be caused to pass through l 38 shaping the beam correspondingly. 1f plates 22 and 24 are both On and plates 23 and 25 Off the beam will pass through 39. As can be seen in the exemplified embodiment, using two potential conditions and sixteen symbols in the beam shaping member, the two deflection systems 20, 21 permit sixteen corresponding positions of the beam by turning On or Off the potentials applied to the various deflection plates. In this manner, the tube 10 with the predetermined potential conditions decodes the predetermined code 28 and into the corresponding information for display of the proper information symbol 19 upon the target or screen 16.

Various exemplified energizing circuitry 40 including a source of high voltage may be utilized to furnish appropriate operating voltages and power requirement to the tube 10.

It should be apparent that the device as shown ini Figure 1 could utilize information in the form of analogue, binary, binary coded decimal or other code by merely changing the parameters aforementioned.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of the invention may be variously changed and modified, or features thereof, singly or collectively, embodied in other combinations than those illustrated without departing from the spirit of the invention, or sacrificing all of the advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein is illustrative only and the invention is not limited thereto.

i claim:

l. A decoding and information-indicating device responsive to a predetermined intelligence code, said device including an evacuated envelope having positioned herein at one end thereof a beam generating means and at the other end thereof an electron responsive target, beam shaping means positioned withinvthe envelope intermediate the generating means and the target 'for selectively shaping the electron beam into information sym'- bols, at least a first deflection system and at least asecond deflection system, said systems being spaced from each other within and along the envelope and positioned intermediate the shaping means and the bear'n generating means, each of said systems having at least two pairs of deflection means, one of said two pair of deflection means being capable of exerting deflection potentials substantially in quadrature with the other, said pairs of deflection means being capable of effecting predetermined deflection of the electron beam, means capable of selectively supplying at least two potential conditions' to each of said pair of deflection means of each of s'aid systems, each of said pairs of deflection means being selectively capable of responding to at least one of said potential conditions in response to the predetermined intelligence code, said deflection means selected by said code being adapted to cause positioning of said be'ai'n' through the information symbol in said shaping mear'is and presenting said symbol upon said target thereby substantially simultaneously decoding and indicating said predetermined intelligence code.

2. A decoding and information-indicating device responsive to a predetermined intelligence code, said device including an evacuated envolope having positioned tlerein at one end thereof a beam generating rneans and at the other end thereof an electron responsive target, beam shaping meanspositioned within the envelope intermediate the generating means and the target for" selectively' shaping the electron beam into information symbols, at least ay first deflection 1system and at least a second deflection system, said systems being spaced from each' other within and along the envelope and positioned irltermediate the shaping means and the beam generating means, each of -said systems having at least two pairs of electrostatic deflection plates, one of said two pair of deflection plates being capable of exerting deflection potentials substantially in quadrature with the other', said pairs of deflection plates being capable of effecting predetermined dellection of the electron beam, means capable of selectively ysupplying at least two potential'y conditions to each of said pair of deflection plates of each said systems, each of said pairs of deflection plates being selectively capable of responding to at least one of said potential conditions in response to the predetermined intelligence code, said deflection plates selected by said code being adapted to cause positioning of said beam through the information symbol in said shaping means and presenting said symbol upon said target thereby substantially simultaneously decoding and indicating'said predetermined intelligence code.

3. A decoding and information-indicating device responsive to a predetermined intelligence code, said device including an evacuated envelope having positioned thereinV at one end thereof a beam generating means and at the other endthereof an electron responsive target', b'eamshaping means positioned within the envelope interme- `diate the generating means ly shaping the electron beam into information symbols,

Ia rst deflection system and a second deflection system, said systems being spaced from each other within and along the envelope and positioned intermediate the shaping means and the beam generating means, each of said systems `having two pairs of deflection means, one of said two pair of dellection'means being capableof exerting deflection potentials substantially in quadrature with the other, said pairs of deflection means being capable of effecting predetermined dellection of the electron beam, means capable of selectively supplying at least two potential conditions to each of said pair of deflection means of each of ,said systems, each of said pairs of deflection means being selectively capable of respondingto the selected condition of said potential conditions in response to the predetermined intelligence code, said deflection means selected `by said code being adapted to cause positioning of said beam through the information symbol in said shaping means and presenting said symbol upon said target thereby substantially simultaneously decoding and indicating said predetermined intelligence code.

4. A decoding and information-indicating device responsive to a predetermined intelligence code, said dei vice including an evacuated envelope having positioned therein at one end thereof a beam generating means and at the other end thereof an electron responsive target, beam shaping means positioned within the envelope intermediate the generating means and the target for selectively shaping the electron beam into information symrbols, a rst deilectionsystem and a second deflection system, said systems being spaced from each other within and along the envelope and positioned intermediate the shaping means andthe beam generating means, each of saidsystems having two pairs of electrostatic deflection plates, one of said two pair of deection plates being capable of exerting dellection potentials substantially in quadrature with the other,` said pairs of deflection plates i being capable of effecting predetermined deflection of the electron beam, means capable of selectively supplying at and the target for selectiveleast two potential conditions to each of said pair of deection plates fof each of said systems, each of said pairs of dellection plates being selectively capable of responding to the selected condition of said potential conditions in response to the predetermined intelligence code, said deection plates selected by said code being adapted to cause positioning of said beam through the information symbol in said shaping means and presenting said symbol upon said target thereby substantially simultaneously decoding and indicating said predetermined intelligence code.

5. A decoding and information-indicating device responsive to a predetermined intelligence code, said device including an evacuated envelope having positioned thereinat one end 4thereof a beam generating means and at the other end thereof an electron responsive target, beam shaping means positioned within the envelope intermediate the generating means and the target for selectively shaping the electron beam into at least one of sixteen predetermined information symbols, a lirst dellection system and a second deection system, said systems being spaced from each other along the envelope and positioned intermediate the shaping means and the beam generating means, each of said systems having two pai-rs of electrostatic deflection plates, one of said two pair of deilection plates being capable of exerting deflection potentials substantially in quadrature with the other, said pairs of dcflection plates being capable of effecting predetermined deflection of the electron beam, means capable of selectively supplying two potential conditions to each of said pair of deflection plates of each of said systems, said pairs of deflection plates being selectively capable of establishing sixteen discrete potential conditions, one such condition for illumination of each of said symbols, said deflection plates selected by said code being adapted to cause positioning of said beam through the information symbol in said shaping means and presenting said symbol upon said target thereby substantially simultaneously decoding and indicating said predetermined intelligence code.

No'references cited.- 

